Pearson expects Kanu to be man-marked
West Brom assistant manager Nigel Pearson believes Kanu’s outstanding form will lead to him being a marked man during the second half of the season.
The Nigerian international has played a major part in helping the Baggies move out of the bottom three of the Barclays Premiership.
But the former Arsenal player found himself being marked by two defenders during Saturday’s game at Portsmouth and Pearson feels other teams will follow suit.
He said: “Portsmouth played the kind of game where they were very narrow and wanted to deny the space that Kanu could operate in.
“He gives us a different dimension and is very important to us, but I would expect more clubs will identify him as someone who can hurt them.
“Other teams will be like Portsmouth in the sense of being aware if you give Kanu too much time on the ball, then he can do things with his creativity.”
West Brom are still waiting to find out if Kanu can remain with them until January 16 before departing for the African Nations Cup.
Nigeria want Kanu to link up with them 10 days earlier but West Brom hope he can put his departure on ice until after the league game with Wigan in mid-January.
